Please share with your local fraternity.
At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 would be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. As we enter 2025, Formation Friday will offer an opportunity to review these priorities and see “how we are doing” so far. Communications is our second priority.
Communications: Part 1
Prepared by Layna Maher, OFS, Chair, National Formation CommissionThis week Formation Friday is taking a look at communication from our perspective as Catholics and Secular Franciscans.
As Franciscans, we are called to share the Good News by the way we live and communicate with others. We first look to the way St. Francis lived as described to us by Thomas of Celano in The Life of Saint Francis.
The brothers who lived with him know
that daily, constantly, talk of Jesus was always on his lips,
sweet and pleasant Ez 33:32 conversations about Him,
kind words full of love.
Out of the fullness of the heart his mouth spoke. Mt 12:34
So the spring of radiant love that filled his heart within
gushed forth.
He was always with Jesus:
Jesus in his heart,
Jesus in his mouth,
Jesus in his ears,
Jesus in his eyes,
Jesus in his hands,
he bore Jesus always in his whole body.
Jesus and St. Francis are perfect models of gentleness. Jesus teaches us that gentleness reconciles and heals. St. Francis teaches us that gentleness opens the possibility for something radical and positive and holy. As Secular Franciscans we follow in the footsteps of St. Francis following Jesus. When we do this and live our Rule, we live with gentleness rooted in humility.
We also look to the Holy Spirit as a model of gentleness. During a 2017 visit to a parish in Rome, Pope Francis said, “The language of the Holy Spirit is sweet, and the Church calls him the ‘sweet guest of the soul’ because he is sweet and gives us sweetness. And respect. He always respects others. He teaches us to respect others.”
Gently and humbly seeking first to understand, then to be understood helps us to be respectful and see others as a gift of the Lord. As Franciscans, we open our hearts to be filled with the same radiant love that filled the heart of St. Francis. When our hearts are full, others will hear Jesus from the words of our mouths and see Jesus in the work of our hands.
From the OFS Rule: Article 13. As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son, the firstborn of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ. A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ.
Discuss with your fraternity or a prayer partner or comment in your journal.
Proverbs 15:1 A mild answer turns back wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger
+ Reflect on your attitude and actions when you encounter someone with a different opinion or position. Is it an attitude of gentleness, or of wrath?
+ How do you seek to encounter Christ in those you do not agree with?
+ Think of a time you may not have reacted with gentleness to another. What could you have done differently? Is there an opportunity for reconciliation?
++++++++++++++++++++
Por favor compartir con su fraternidad local
En nuestro Capítulo Nacional en octubre de 2022, el Consejo Nacional decidió que las prioridades para 2022-2025 serán Vocaciones, Comunicaciones y Relaciones. Durante las próximas semanas, “Formation Friday” analizará cada una de las prioridades.
Comunicaciones: Parte 1
Preparado por Layna Maher, OFS, Formadora Nacional OFS-USAEsta semana, Formation Friday analiza la comunicación desde nuestra perspectiva como católicos y franciscanos seglares.
Como franciscanos, estamos llamados a compartir la Buena Nueva a través de la forma en que vivimos y nos comunicamos con los demás. Primero miramos la forma en que vivió San Francisco como nos la describe Tomás de Celano en La vida de San Francisco.
FA:ED , vol. 1, 283 (En inglés)
Los hermanos que vivían con él saben
que diariamente, constantemente, hablar de Jesús estaba siempre en sus labios,
dulces y agradables Ez 33:32 conversaciones acerca de Él,
amables palabras llenas de amor.
De la plenitud del corazón habló su boca. Mateo 12:34
Así que el manantial de amor radiante que llenó su corazón dentro
brotó.
Siempre estuvo con Jesús:
Jesús en su corazón,
Jesús en su boca,
Jesús en sus oídos,
Jesús en sus ojos,
Jesús en sus manos,
llevó siempre a Jesús en todo su cuerpo.
Jesús y San Francisco son modelos perfectos de mansedumbre. Jesús nos enseña que la mansedumbre reconcilia y sana. San Francisco nos enseña que la mansedumbre abre la posibilidad de algo radical, positivo y santo. Como Franciscanos Seglares seguimos los pasos de San Francisco siguiendo a Jesús. Cuando hacemos esto y vivimos nuestra Regla, vivimos con mansedumbre enraizada en la humildad.
También miramos al Espíritu Santo como un modelo de mansedumbre. Durante una visita a una parroquia en Roma en 2017, el Papa Francisco dijo: “El lenguaje del Espíritu Santo es dulce, y la Iglesia lo llama el ‘dulce huésped del alma’ porque es dulce y nos da dulzura. Y respeto. Siempre respeta a los demás. Él nos enseña a respetar a los demás”.
Buscando con delicadeza y humildad a comprender primero y luego ser comprendidos nos ayuda a ser respetuosos y ver a los demás como un don del Señor. Como franciscanos, abrimos nuestros corazones para que se llenen del mismo amor radiante que llenó el corazón de San Francisco. Cuando nuestros corazones estén llenos, otros escucharán a Jesús de las palabras de nuestra boca y verán a Jesús en la obra de nuestras manos.
De la Regla OFS : Artículo 13. De la misma manera que el Padre ve en cada uno de los hombres los rasgos de su Hijo, Primogénito de muchos hermanos22, los Franciscanos seglares acojan a todos los hombres con ánimo humilde y cortés, como don del Señor23 e imagen de Cristo.
El sentido de fraternidad les hará felices de colocarse a la par de todos los hombres, especialmente con los más humildes, para los cuales se esforzarán en crear condiciones de vida dignas de criaturas redimidas por Cristo24.
Para platicar con su fraternidad o un compañero de oración o comentar en su diario.
Proverbios 15:1 La suave respuesta hace retroceder la ira, pero la palabra áspera hace subir la ira
+ Reflexione sobre su actitud y acciones cuando se encuentra con alguien que tiene una opinión o posición diferente a la suya. ¿Es su actitud una de mansedumbre o de ira?
+ ¿Cómo intenta encontrar a Cristo en aquellos con los que no está de acuerdo?
+ Piense en un momento en el que quizás no haya reaccionado con delicadeza a otro. ¿Qué podría haber hecho diferente? ¿Hay una oportunidad para la reconciliación?
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
OFM Province Connects with OFS and Others at Synod
Secular Franciscans along with OFM Spiritual Assistants in attendance at the OFS Synod (Jan 15, 2025). Photo courtesy of Br. Octavio Duran, OFM
By Jane DeRose-Bamman, OFS
National Minister
Representatives from the Franciscan Family and Franciscan-hearted individuals who work with the friars attended the Synod of the Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe from Jan 13-17 in Kansas City, MO.
Approximately 30 OFS, professed and candidates, attended the gathering. We were grateful to discuss the importance of relationships and sharing the Franciscan charism. We recognize that the 73 OFM brothers (and many more previously) responded to the mandate in Articles 60, 61, and 62 of the OFM General Constitutions. They continue caring for, valuing, assisting, and fostering Secular Franciscan vocations.
This culminated a year-long synodal process that the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe began in local friaries last year to gather feedback and discern some next steps. Seven regional meetings followed as 300 friars practiced synodal discussion.
The national meeting, called a Franciscan Provincial Synod, included about 200 friars, Secular Franciscans, Franciscan sisters, and lay partners. Half of those in attendance were friars.
Prayer was a focus along with gatherings where tables of eight participants discussed various topics. The organizers structured the schedule to obtain feedback from all participants. Technology was used to collect and quickly process the feedback that focused on the charism, lifestyle, and mission of Franciscans.
The synod’s timing was perfect as it is the beginning of the third year of the centenary celebrations focusing on the Canticle of Creatures – a year to recognize and celebrate God’s presence in all creation. This gathering met the challenge – cherishing the splendor of God in the various members of the Franciscan family and aspects of creation – even Brother Winter as ice and cold were on hand in Kansas City.
A Wednesday morning session on youth and young adults was exceptionally engaging and inspiring. The younger participants are hopeful and trust that the Spirit is still at work. Several of the panel stressed that growth is achieved through struggles, which they were not afraid to tackle. They welcome the opportunity to have conversations as part of building relationships.
On Wednesday evening, a committee of four friars, one Poor Clare sister, and one Secular Franciscan examined all the priorities that had been voted on during the previous days. They chose the eight major priorities and 25-30 actions concerning the charism, mission, and lifestyle the assembly would vote on. On Thursday, the assembly decided on the priorities published in the final report to the province.
At the Mass of Sending Forth on Thursday evening, OFS national vice minister Diane Menditto, OFS, was invited as an assembly member to submit the synod’s recommendations to the new council of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province.
In her statement, she asked the council to “lead us all in putting the priorities of the Synod into action.”
Following her statement and the Provincial’s response, every assembly member was anointed with the prayer that they would “undertake with a generous heart the labors of Franciscan and Christian life, and be made worthy brothers and sisters of Christ and Saints Francis and Clare.”
May God grant perfect charity, sense, and knowledge as they continue to discern the next steps for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
St. Francis, Servant Leadership, and the Stigmata
(This article originally appeared in the TAU-USA Fall 2024 Issue #113)
by Vickie Klick, OFS
Chair, NAFRA Centenary Task Force
As part of our celebration of the 800th anniversary of Francis receiving the stigmata, we began three of our four mornings at Chapter with reflections on Francis’ experience – and sufferings – as a servant leader, and how his example can help us understand our roles today.
Francis’ stigmata were the culmination of many sufferings with Christ over his lifetime. Many of those sufferings came from life with his brothers, as indeed it does for all of us. It is important for us to recognize that the problems we face today in living in fraternity are very similar to the problems that Francis and his brothers faced. Human nature has not changed!
Each reflection used a reading taken from the Early Documents. We used a group Lectio Divina format, listening to the reading three times and then sharing what particularly struck us in the reading.
The first morning, we read how Francis celebrated Chapter with the friars. Anything Francis asked the brothers to do, he would first demonstrate with his own actions, and he called them all to have peace in their hearts.
On the second morning, we tackled Francis’ Letter to a Minister, in which he challenges a minister to accept those causing him great difficulty and all of what they are doing to him as God’s grace, and to not wish that they be better Christians. Everyone was invited to think privately about those who came to mind, and to ponder how we could live up to Francis’ exhortation.
Finally, we turned to a reading where Francis, discouraged by the behavior of some of the brothers, gave the order back to God. It was a reminder that our leaders are here as a sign to our brothers and sisters that God is the one who ultimately watches over us.
We closed the final session with a reading from the Second Letter to the Faithful which exhorted us to be servants to all for God’s sake and promised the Spirit to those who persevere.
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Vickie Click, OFS, leading daily reflection & sharing related to the Stigmata of St. FrancisReferences to the readings and the discussion questions are available on the National Website: https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/centenary-resources-the-gift-of-the-stigmata/
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
(From a fortune cookie at Chapter.)
The Gospel Through a Franciscan Lens – The Wedding Feast at Cana – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Fr. Christopher
In his homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Father Christopher draws from the Admonitions of St. Francis and the Earlier Rule to tie the rich symbolism of the Wedding Feast at Cana to the Franciscan emphasis on the dignity of the human person.
“Consider, O human being in what pre-eminence the Lord God has placed you, for He created and formed you to the image of His beloved Son according to the body, and to His likeness according to His spirit. All creatures under heaven serve, know and obey their Creator, each according to its own nature…” (Admonition 5).
FORMATION FRIDAY – Vocations, Communications, Relationships: How to strengthen and maintain – January 17, 2024
Formation Friday January 17, 2025 (en español abajo) Korean translation attached in separate PDF.
Please share with your local fraternityVocations, Communications, Relationships: How do we strengthen and maintain our vocation? (Part 3 of 3)
At our National Chapter in October 2022, the National Fraternity Council decided that the priorities for 2022-2025 would be Vocations, Communications, and Relationships. As we enter 2025, Formation Friday will offer an opportunity to review these priorities and see “how we are doing” so far. Vocations is also one of the priorities chosen by the General Chapter at the November meeting in Rome.
For those of us who are newly professed and for those of us who are long-professed, attention to our vocation does not stop at the moment of profession. This special gift we have been given, Profession in the Secular Franciscan Order, needs to be nurtured and cared for throughout our lives as Franciscans.
We are all responsible for keeping our vocations strong. Initial formation should not be the last time we think deeply about the Franciscan Charism and all that it means to our lives as Secular Franciscans. Our Constitutions are specific about the need for Ongoing Formation—also called Continuing or Permanent Formation. Take note of what the General Constitutions expect will be the content of our ongoing formation programs:
CONTINUING FORMATION – ARTICLE 44 GC
1. Begun by the preceding stages, the formation of the brothers and sisters takes place in a permanent and continuous way. It should be understood as an aid in the conversion of each and every one and in the fulfillment of their proper mission in the Church and in society.
2. The Fraternity has the duty to give special attention to the formation of the newly professed and of the temporarily professed, to help them become fully mature in their vocation and develop a true sense of belonging.
3. Ongoing formation – accomplished by means of courses, gatherings, and the sharing of experience – aims to assist the brothers and sisters:
— Rule: Article 4 in listening to and meditating on the Word of God, “going from Gospel to life and from life to Gospel,”
— in reflecting on events in the Church and in society in the light of faith and with the help of the documents of the teaching Church, consequently taking consistent positions;
— in discerning and deepening the Franciscan vocation by studying the writings of Saint Francis, Saint Clare and Franciscan authors.
There are four aspects to ongoing formation
- Franciscan topics (our governing documents; writings of Francis and Clare; writings by Franciscan authors)
- Contemporary topics (How we live our lives as Secular Franciscans; writings of Catholic authors; documents like Laudato Sì; The Joy of the Gospel etc.)
- Prayer (Franciscan prayer life; praying the Scriptures; learning about the Scriptures)
- Teaching about the Catholic Church
Here are some suggestions for ongoing formation resources:
· Franciscan Intellectual Tradition video lectures
https://franciscantradition.org/resources/video-clips· Custodians of the Tradition (Excellent) https://franciscantradition.org/resources/custodians-of-the-tradition
· The writings of and about Francis and Clare https://franciscantradition.org/early-sources
· CD Contents from the FUN Manual
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/fun-cd-contents/· Ongoing formation resources on our website (including Formation Fridays)
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/ongoing-formation-resources/· Gospel Life of St. Francis from St. Bonaventure University FREE DOWNLOAD WITH VIDEOS
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/2022/08/06/gospel-life-of-st-francis-handbook-available-for-free-digital-download/· Videos of excellent keynote talks given at the 2022 Quinquennial
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/updates-from-the-q-august-3rd-through-7th-2022/
Suggestions for discussion in a group, with a prayer partner, or to comment on in your journal.+How does the ongoing formation program in your local fraternity follow what is requested in the General Constitutions? Is it focused on Franciscan/Gospel/Church themes? Why or why not?
+How is the ongoing formation program carried out in your fraternity? Here are some possibilities. Which ones can be used on a rotating basis?
+A talk at the gathering (by fraternity member, spiritual assistant, or guest speaker)
+A talk followed by small group discussions followed by sharing with the entire group
+A presentation or a reading selection followed by discussion with a partner
+View a video (formation team prepares a few questions given out beforehand). Questions are discussed in small groups or with a partner after viewing the video.
+Members read a short scripture passage at home. Make a list of 3 main ideas. Some of the readings are shared at the gathering along with the ideas the person has listed.
+Take a look at the links provided above. What looks interesting for your fraternity? Make suggestions to your formation team.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Formación 17 de enero de 2025 Vocaciones, Comunicaciones, Relaciones:
¿Cómo fortalecemos y mantenemos nuestra vocación? (Parte 3 de 3)Nacional en octubre de 2022, el Consejo Nacional de la Fraternidad decidió que las prioridades para 2022-2025 serían las Vocaciones, las Comunicaciones y las Relaciones. A medida que entramos en 2025, el Viernes de Formación ofrecerá una oportunidad para revisar estas prioridades y ver “cómo vamos” hasta ahora. Las vocaciones son también una de las prioridades elegidas por el Capítulo General en la reunión de noviembre en Roma.Para los que somos nuevos profesos y para los que somos de larga profesión, la atención a nuestra vocación no se detiene en el momento de la profesión. Este don especial que se nos ha dado, la Profesión en la Orden Franciscana Seglar, necesita ser nutrido y cuidado a lo largo de nuestras vidas como franciscanos.
Todos somos responsables de mantener fuertes nuestras vocaciones. La formación inicial no debe ser la última vez que reflexionemos profundamente sobre el carisma franciscano y todo lo que significa para nuestras vidas como franciscanos seglares. Nuestras Constituciones son específicas sobre la necesidad de la Formación Permanente, también llamada Formación Continua o Permanente. Toma nota de lo que las Constituciones Generales esperan que sea el contenido de nuestros programas de formación permanente:
La formación permanente
Art. 44 CCGG
1. Iniciada en las etapas precedentes, la formación de los hermanos se realiza de modo permanente y continuo. Es una ayuda para la conversión de todos y cada uno30 y para el cumplimiento de la propia misión en la Iglesia y en la sociedad.
2. La Fraternidad tiene el deber de dedicar especial atención a la formación de los neoprofesos y de los profesos temporales, para ayudarles a madurar su vocación y arraigar el sentido de pertenencia.
3. La formación permanente, también mediante cursos, encuentros, intercambio de experiencias, tiene como finalidad ayudar a todos los hermanos:
– Regla: Artículo 4. a escuchar y meditar la Palabra de Dios, “pasando del Evangelio a la vida y de la vida al Evangelio”;
– a reflexionar, iluminados por la fe y ayudados por los documentos del Magisterio, sobre los acontecimientos de la Iglesia y de la sociedad, tomando consiguientemente posiciones coherentes;
– a actualizar y profundizar la vocación franciscana estudiando los escritos de San Francisco, Santa Clara y otros autores franciscanos.
Hay cuatro aspectos en la formación permanente
• Temas franciscanos (nuestros documentos rectores; escritos de Francisco y Clara; escritos de autores franciscanos)
• Temas contemporáneos (Cómo vivimos nuestras vidas como Franciscanos Seglares; escritos de autores católicos; documentos como Laudato Sì; La Alegría del Evangelio, etc.)
• Oración (vida de oración franciscana; rezar las Escrituras; aprender sobre las Escrituras)
• Enseñanza sobre la Iglesia Católica
Aquí hay algunas sugerencias para los recursos de formación continua en español:
Franciscanos.org (Compendio de información)
http://franciscanos.org/frandp/menup.html
Nuestros documentos oficiales en español
https://ciofs.info/es/library/official-documents/
Otros documentos y circulares de la CIOFS
https://ciofs.info/es/library/documents/
Formation Fridays (Cada uno tiene su traducción en español.)
https://www.secularfranciscansusa.org/ongoing-formation-resources/#12045c7b95e91f19c
Reflexión (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D4Eb-zHl1s
Fratelli Tutti (Capítulo 1) video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty_hQ6eMAQA
Fratelli Tutti (Capítulo II) Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi71uTYUCtc
Fratelli Tutti (Capítulo III) Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdaf1ssqn-0
Sugerencias para platicar en grupo, con un compañero de oración o para comentar en su diario.
+¿Cómo sigue el programa de formación permanente en su fraternidad local lo que piden las Constituciones Generales? ¿Está enfocado en temas franciscanos/evangélicos/de la iglesia? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no?
+¿Cómo se lleva a cabo el programa de formación permanente en su fraternidad? Aquí siguen algunas posibilidades. ¿Cuáles se pueden utilizar de forma rotativa?
+Una charla en la reunión (por un miembro de la fraternidad, asistente espiritual u orador invitado)
+Una charla seguida de debates en grupos pequeños seguidos de compartir con todo el grupo
+Una presentación o una selección de lectura seguida de una discusión con un compañero
+Ver un video (el equipo de formación prepara algunas preguntas dadas de antemano). Las preguntas se discuten en grupos pequeños o con un compañero después de ver el video.
+Los miembros leen un breve pasaje de las Escrituras en casa. Haz una lista de 3 ideas principales. Algunas de las lecturas se comparten en la reunión junto con las ideas que la persona ha enumerado.
+Eche un vistazo a los enlaces proporcionados arriba. ¿Cuáles parecen interesantes para su fraternidad? Haga sugerencias a su equipo de formación.
Diane F. Menditto, OFSVice Minister, National Fraternity, Secular Franciscan Order USAListen – Discern – Go Forth National Theme 2022-2025
